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Rocky Mataalii

Father. Grandfather. Uncle.

Date of Birth:

November 5, 1955 

Passed Away:

June 30, 1993

A Bit About Me

Rocky Wallace Mataalii was born November 5, 1955 and passed away June 30, 1993.  He was 37.

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Rocky was an Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division All-Star Defensive Lineman in 1972.  That was the year the Red Raiders captured the OIA championship with a 35-29 come from behind victory against Leilehua.  It was considered one of the most exciting prep games ever.  Rocky was very strong and very quick, at the age of 16 he was bench pressed 480 pounds.  Not only was Rocky athletically gifted but he was also very intelligent, he was the chess champion of his High School.

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Rocky then continued his football career at Arizona State University under then head coach Frank Kush.  Rocky was only 17 years old when he started his 1st game for ASU.  Rocky returned in 1974 when the Sun Devils came to old Honolulu Stadium and beat the University of Hawaii, 26-3.  Rocky was named Outstanding Lineman of the Game, according to newspaper accounts.

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In the 1975 Fiesta Bowl game, ASU against Nebraska (heavily favored to win by 14 points), Rocky recovered Nebraska’s fumble at the ASU 22-yeard line with 1:08 left in the 4th quarter.  ASU would go on to defeat Nebraska and would end the season as the nation’s only unbeaten major college team.  Rocky was picked by Frank Kush and the Arizona Republic Newspaper to make All-American and to have a very bright future in football until he got sick his junior year.  Even with his illness he continued school and finished his degree in Finance.

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Met my mommy and us kiddos came along….

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